Evaluation and Qualification of Fibre Pigtailed Lasers for ESA’s SMOS Mission

WORKSHOP LASER DIODES IN SPACE (10-11 May 2006)

Authors: Juan Barbero (Tecnológica, Componentes Electrónicos, S.A.) & Martin Mosberger (Contraves Space)

Evaluation and Qualification of Fibre Pigtailed Lasers for ESA’s SMOS Mission

SMOS / MOHA

SMOS Mission (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity).

Payload Module: Microwave Imaging Radiometer with Microwave Imaging Radiometer with Aperture Synthesis (MIRAS).

MOHA (MIRAS Optical Harness):  Connects antennas with the control and correlator unit via a custom optical bus.

Qualification Approach

• Highest quality level for optical COTS is according to Telcordia standard or similar.
• Space qualified components not feasible (power budgets) or simply not existing.
• A full qualification exercise as per ESCC specification not feasible due to time and cost constraints
• Industry is too fast moving

Strategy for SMOS/MOHA

• One time Lot Acceptance Testing for this particular mission
• One flight lot is purchased and tested for its suitability to the particular space application
• Evaluation phase with two possible COTS candidates for each component (subjected to most critical test, constructional analysis, manufacturer assessment).

Qualification Approach: Procurement Baselines

To reduce qualification effort

• Procure different parts with as many similarities as possible:

1. Same optical fibre.
2. Same pigtail cable.
3. Same fibre optic connector

Assess willingness of manufacturer to cooperate in the proceeding

• Willingness to disclose exact processing
• Willingness to manufacture according to custom requirements (use the supplied fibre, cable, connectors).
• Willingness to help in failure analysis

Conclusion

Evaluation and Qualification approach:

• Most manufacturers are not willing to customise their process for a small volume order.
• Smaller manufacturers show greater interest and higher flexibility to customise their manufacturing and/or disclose the exact processing.
• A cost effective project qualification approach has been presented.

Qualification tests

• Optical measurements through fibres are less repetitive than electrical measurements. Optical connectors repetitiveness is lower than for electrical connectors.

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